You might have heard the term health coach and wondered what they exactly do and the benefits they provide. They help keep you accountable, ditch bad habits, and help you to adopt new, healthier habits. So, could you find value in a health coach? Read on to find out more information.
What is a Health Coach?
A health coach is your guide, partner, and personal cheerleader. Their goal is to help you implement lifestyle changes that are beneficial to your overall health.
This service is most commonly available through corporate wellness programs. However, you can also hire a health and wellness coach on your own to help you get in shape, or another wellness goal. Health coaching normally addresses 6 key areas of wellness with many other topics branching out of these main topics. The key areas are:
- Stress
- Nutrition
- Activity
- Sleep
- Time Management
- Tobacco Products
If one of those six topics are out of balance, there’s a good chance that others are out of balance as well. Someone who is not sleeping well might also experience stress and not be eating very well. Due to this, it can be very overwhelming. That’s where a health coach comes in. They help to sort out where to start and how to maintain the small changes over time.
They will determine what actions you are ready to take based on the goals you create. It’s about self-discovery and piecing together the changes for yourself. You will eventually fall into a routine that ‘s specific to you and your needs and wants.
What Does a Health Coach do?
A health coach helps get you past your barriers by figuring out what’s keeping you from reaching your overall wellness goals. Your coach will check in with you on a consistent basis on a course of around three months. During the check ins they will ask you questions that get you thinking about how you can over overcome your challenges.
Most often than not, the most common obstacle people face is their own thoughts about themselves. Through motivation and different interview styles, health coaches can help you to get past these thoughts that block them to get their desired results.
For example, suppose your doctor wants you to eat more balanced diet including more vegetables and fruits. A health coach can come in a ask questions such as:
- What feels reasonable to you?
- What plan can we put together so you can follow through with eating a more balanced diet?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it for you to make this change?
- What are some challenges you might face on the way to this goal?
- What does your home life look like?
Overall, health coaching is not about someone telling you what to do. They work along side you to support you and show up in whatever way you need.
Benefits of Health Coaching
Changing your lifestyle can be a challenge, even if it’s something you really want to do. One benefit of having a health coach is having someone cheering you on to help you through it, and research shows that it’s successful. One study was conducted and these are the results after three months of health coaching:
- Improved blood pressure
- Enhanced glucose (blood sugar levels)
- Improved body weight
- Better cholesterol
- Improved triglycerides (blood fat)
- Advanced cardiovascular fitness
A health goal will give you a boost if you’re losing motivation and feeling discouraged or overwhelmed. You will often find out that the changes are simpler than you think and they far outweigh the negative lifestyle. They can also provide unconditional support, accountability, and encouragement.
What To Look For in a Health Coach
The first step to looking for a health coach is talking to your health insurance company to see if they cover the fees and if they have a list of approved providers. The second step is to talk to your healthcare provider to see if they have any recommendations.
It’s important to choose someone who is a certified health and wellness coach. This is one way to indicate that they’ve had the proper training and are qualified to give you health and wellness advice.
Reaching your wellness goals can be very challenging, but having a health coach can help you get past that road block. Moving to a healthy lifestyle can change everything. With increased motivation and energy, you will be able to accomplish more, support others, and live your life to the fullest.
Contact a Health Coach at IBC
We have two certified health coaches here at IBC ready to help you and your business. They will work with all of your employees to help improve their overall health and wellness. Contact them here or call 712-277-2424 for more information. Be sure to like us on Facebook to get wellness tips and advice.
